“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.” –Ecclesiastes 1:9 Another school year has started–the 19th for me as a university professor (amazing!)–and I have classrooms full of students who are eager … More Old Wine in New Wineskins
Summer. Ah, yes, I remember it well. Seems like only yesterday. But hmm, well, summer’s gone, and school starts, well I guess it’s officially started. Classes start Monday and we welcomed freshmen to the campus last night. So just like all those good intentions I will have on my deathbed, whatever I planned for the … More Stranger Things Have Happened
I had a journalism student–who shall remain nameless–quite a few years ago, who was a marginal student. He did just enough to get by. I found myself constantly having to push him to put enough effort into classes just to pass the class, and I worried about what his career would be like when he … More Something To Say
“Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical.” -Yogi Berra Football season is almost upon us, and I am fondly watching my own Oakland Raiders getting into training camp and getting ready for their first official game in September. This, I hope, will be the year that Oakland returns to the playoffs … More Bringing Back the Swagger
It’s been a slow beginning to summer. Graduation was last Sunday, and even though I have been looking forward to being free of classes for weeks (months?), the many duties and obligations that have shackled me have kept my mind strapped down more than I care to admit. I told myself that Monday–last Monday–would mark … More Rude Awakening
The only time I’ve ever gone in for counseling was when my father was dying for cancer. Half a dozen trips to the psychologist, and I realized that the best therapy was simply writing about it. I started writing short stories as therapy and starting getting them published as a side benefit. But what do … More Therapy
After a dry spell of a couple of months, I finally got another review today on Amazon. Of course, the problem with reviews is that you can’t guarantee they will be good. The review was for my end time book, If Tomorrow Comes, and states simply, “The story would be interesting if it wasn’t basically … More Affirmation vs. Propaganda: Mythology in Storytelling
I’m spending my Sunday morning at school proctoring the Senior exit exam for four graduating senior communication majors in our university. More were supposed to be here, but either overslept, blew the exam off, or have already made arrangements to take the test later. It’s an essay exam in the traditional Blue Books, and I’m … More It’s Not What You Know That’s Important…
Back in 1998 I was hired to come to Texas and teach students how to be a book, newspaper and magazine editor and how to write books and magazine articles. I had 25 years experience in doing that very thing, and I figured that would be my claim to fame from that point on. But … More The Medium Isn’t the Message
We’re on the other side of two monumental responsibilities of mine. (who-hoo!) The deadline for high schoolers to turn in their four-minute videos in the 48-hour film challenge at our University was 90 minutes ago. At the same time, the University website, the project that has obsessed me since Christmas, has been put to bed … More Idle Hands Are the Devil’s Workshop
The Great Adventure 